The New South Wales Branch provides pensions and advocacy support to
veterans of all conflicts, their partners and children, through State
Sub-Branches under the guidance of the acting State Advocate, Ken Foster
JP.
No person is authorised to act on behalf of the NSW Branch in the
provision of welfare, pensions or advocacy support unless they:
• are trained to the appropriate level under the Department of Veterans Affairs Training and Information Program; (TIP)
• are authorised in writing by the senior advocate to act on behalf of the Branch at a stipulated level;
• undertake to act in accordance with the ethical standards
imposed by TIP and the Veterans Indemnity and Training Association
(VITA); and
• maintain the appropriate records.
The pension and advocacy service includes that which
comes under the auspices of the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986, the
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) and the Military
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 2004 (MRCA).
We offer advice, assistance with claims under these jurisdictions
and advocacy for claims which go before the Veterans Review Board (VRB)
and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
Should it be necessary we assist in access to Legal Aid and representation by Counsel.
The State Branch offers assistance to veterans of Allied Forces
from all conflicts, in obtaining a pension or assistance from the
country for which they served, primarily USA, Great Britain and New
Zealand.
The NSW Branch and its Sub-Branches provide an extensive welfare
service to all veterans and war widows. That service assists
individuals to access government and/or community assistance, aged
assessment as well as DVA home care, safety assessment and nursing care
where required.
Hospital and home visits by local veterans can also be arranged,
as well as assistance when bereavements occur. Association members will
arrange and/or conduct graveside services appropriate for veterans and
assist in obtaining funeral benefits where an entitlement exists. We
can generally provide some limited guidance as to which local funeral
directors offer veteran-friendly services.
The welfare, pensions oficers and advocates of the NSW Branch are
NOT licenced to provide financial, medical, psychological or
psychiatric advice, however they may, through our extensive community
and healthcare networking, be able to identify but not recommend,
providers of such services who are aware of the special requirements of
the veteran and ex-Service community.
It is our first choice to recommend the Veterans and Families
Counselling Service (VVCS, formerly the Vietnam Veterans Counselling
Service) to our clients.
The philosophy of the State Branch is to consider the broader
needs of the veteran and the family in an holistic approach which seeks
to identify all of the necessary services which the Association will
then seek to coordinate on their behalf.